Description
ronron Wood Chieftain
Elementary, but powerful indigenous art in mask-form depicting an ancestor – a ‘ronron’ wood chieftain (ronron is a lovely tropical hardwood with rippled grain). These masked personages that participate in this venerable ceremony, be they the demon-like diablitos, atavistic anthropomorphic characters, or certain (usually) predatory animals, all symbolize the Native population before the invading antagonist in this choreography: xaman, the bull, representing the Spanish.
This mask was worn, during the three days of this important tribal event – the Danza de los Diablitos (2021-2022) in the village of Rey Curre – the wearer’s improvised straps (bicycle inner tube strips) still adhere to the mask. This mask excels in both featuring a classic tribal design (harkening back to older times), as well as for its odd, subtle expression (made more odd due to the battle scar over its left eye).
- Tribe: Brunka (Boruca)
- Size: 9 1/2″ x 14 3/4″
- Artist: Gonzalez Leiva family
